Death of a Salesman: one of the great plays comes to Wanneroo’s Limelight Theatre in March

Daniel Moxham as Biff and Jason Wall as Happy in Death of a Salesman. Picture: Daniel Ade
Death of a Salesman features Daniel Moxham Jason Wall, Sorrento resident Gino Cataldo (front), Patrick McLanaghan and Declan Waters (back). Picture: Daniel Ade
Biff (Daniel Moxham) makes a point to Happy (Jason Wall) and Willy (Sorrento resident Gino Cataldo) in Death of a Salesman as the waiter (Patrick McLanaghan) looks on. Picture: Daniel Ade

A PULITZER Prize and Tony Award-winning play that many consider to be one of the 20th century’s greatest comes to Wanneroo’s Limelight Theatre next month.

Written by Arthur Miller and directed by Quinns Rocks resident Kathleen Del Casale, Death of a Salesman is the story of Willy Loman who realises his life is not the one he made it out to be.

Though he has worked hard, his family has always lived on the edge of poverty while Willy has constantly told himself and his family that his deserved big break was just around the corner.

“Through the expertly written, interweaving storylines of past and present, the audience begins to realise he has been his own worst enemy,” Del Casale said.

“It’s a story of how life can be really tough but at the end of the day we can’t blame anyone else for the life we have – we make the decisions and we get to choose.

“Miller was able to write a play that resonates with so many people in so many different ways.”

Del Casale said the main challenge was doing the play justice over a short rehearsal period.

“We have six weeks to make this happen but I know I have a great team and amazing actors who already feel the characters so deeply,” she said.

“As much as there are challenges, we’re certainly ready to overcome those and create a great show.”

She said she could not think of a better play to direct than Death of a Salesman.

“The characters are so developed, complicated and nuanced and the story is so beautifully sad,” she said.

“The more I read the script, the more I realise how much there is still to discover in the story.

“I’m a fan of minimalist theatre that challenges its audience to think and this play certainly does that.

“With the complexity of the characters and the poetic lines, I know I don’t need big set pieces and glitzy costumes because the words stand on their own.

“That is a real art and is what makes theatre and Death of a Salesman so special.”

What: Death of a Salesman
When: 8pm, March 8-10, 14-17 and 2pm, March 11
Where: Limelight Theatre, Wanneroo
Tickets: $21 and $18 concession at www.limelighttheatre.com.au or on 0499 954 016
The March 11 matinee includes afternoon tea for an extra $5